Studio Policy

Impress Printmakers Studio Access Policy

I.    General Principles:

·       A primary goal of Impress is to provide open access studio facilities. There should be a balance between workshop and individual studio access.

·       It is a priority of Impress through the provision of an open access studio to support the creative life of its members. This should be done in an encouraging, equitable and convenient manner.

·       The focus of studio access should not become based in income production, as this has never been the primary goal of Impress and should not become so. Although Funds are necessary to support the facility,  this should be done in a way that studio access is balanced between this necessity and open access for members.

·       Equitable access needs to be ensured.

·       Members working in the printing area have the right to work without interruption.


2. Session times:

·     It is recommended that bookings be made in 5-hour blocks.

·     Bookings of less than 5 hours are not possible.

·       Suggested session times are:

·       7am – 12 pm 

·       12 pm – 5 pm 

·       5 pm – 10 pm


3. FEES

·       5 hourly sessions at $20

·       Payment is per session. A session cannot be divided. For example if only one hour is used, the fee remains $20.

 
4. Materials and equipment

·       Members can bring their own inks and supplies, or use Impress inks, daily use for a $5 fee.

·       A request should be made at the time of booking whether Impress materials will be required. If they are, the materials fee needs to be paid in advance, at the time of studio booking.

·       Paper sales – based on an honour system, written detailed invoice and direct deposit into bank account or Pay Pal.

 
5. Bookings

  Bookings will be made on the website. The booking should not be assumed until confirmation is received.  Payment can be made via direct deposit or Pay pal.

·       An online calendar with booking provisions for each area is in use.

·       No member can book a session without having completed a Studio induction.
The member swipe card number received after induction is the member ID number for booking. 

·       Bookings cannot be made more than 3 months in advance.


6. AREAS AND NUMBERS OF INDIVIDUAL USERS.

Upper ground – large etching, lithography, screen-printing

·       2 screen-printers at any one time

·       2 lithographers at any one time

·       2 etchers at any time in the upper area.

Lower ground large etching press  - 2 etchers at any one time.

(These limits adapt when groups are sharing a press, e.g. at a workshop or Open Day)

7.   WORKSHOPS AND INDIVIDUAL STUDIO USE

·       When a workshop is booked, that area is 'quarantined' on the booking calendar. No individual members should be able to book into the area reserved for the workshop.

·       If a screen-printing workshop is in operation the etching presses can be booked.

Workshops

·       Workshops should not be more frequent than every second weekend, and 2 during the week.

·       Only one area at a time should be occupied by a workshop, leaving other areas free for members.

Only workshops organised through the Workshop Co-coordinator can be held in the studio. All types of workshops need to be booked as workshops on the calendar.

·     2 members can work in the studio together, with one helping the other, but no business transaction should take place. Impress is a community-based organization.

8. MANAGING POLICY

·       Breaching of workplace health and safety protocols – In serious cases, withdrawal of studio access until attending another induction session.

·         Access card will be removed until attendance at another induction session has been completed.